There are emotionally draining days. Then there is what Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin went through Friday.

The two spent most of the morning and part of the afternoon with players who had not survived the final cut.

Colbert and Tomlin meet with all of those players individually, a professional courtesy to those who put their bodies and hopes on the line for the Steelers.

But if the 53-man roster, which the Steelers officially announced yesterday, is a reflection of anything, it is this: Football at this level is a cold, hard, what-have-you-done-for-us-lately business.

Emotions such as loyalty, sentiment and even professional pride must be cast aside when putting together the team that gives the Steelers the best chance of winning.

Or at least the one that Colbert and Tomlin think does.

Among those released were center Justin Hartwig, return specialist Stefan Logan and guard Kraig Urbik.

Hartwig had started 35 consecutive games, 19 of which came in 2008 when the Steelers won the Super Bowl.

Logan, meanwhile, is the ultimate underdog, a pint-sized dervish who had taken a hiatus from football after high school, played his way from the University of South Dakota to the Canadian Football League and ultimately onto the Steelers.

How could anybody not root for the guy who finished second in the AFC in kickoff returns last season?

Urbik took a more traditional route to the Steelers, but cutting him couldn't have been any easier for Colbert and Tomlin than releasing Logan had been, though for different reasons.

The Steelers selected Urbik with the first of their three third-round picks in 2009.

Releasing the Wisconsin product was a tacit admission by Colbert and Tomlin that they had blundered when using such an early draft pick on Urbik.

But it also reinforced the message that high draft picks get one year on scholarship on the South Side, and that is it.

Outside linebacker Bruce Davis, a third-round pick in 2008, found that out last year, as Urbik did Friday.

Fortunately for Steelers fans, they don't know how much patience Colbert and Tomlin have for first-round picks that underachieve.

The team has not missed on one of those selections since Colbert returned to his native Pittsburgh in 2000.

The Steelers appear to have hit big with their latest first-rounder, Maurkice Pouncey.

Pouncey surprised even the Steelers with how well he handled all that comes with playing center, including making blocking adjustments at the line of scrimmage.

He forced the Steelers to make a tough decision — releasing a proven veteran such as Hartwig — even though they could have played Pouncey at right guard before moving him to center.

Pouncey is one of eight 2010 draft choices who made the 53-man roster. Seven of their nine picks in 2009 were part of the initial 53-man roster last year, leading to two conclusions.

One, for all that is made about the Steelers' age — eight of their 11 starters on defense are at last 30 years old — football is still a young man's game.

Also, many of the youngsters that make the Steelers can easily be replaced by even younger players.

That happened with cornerback Joe Burnett.

The second-year man was beaten out of a roster spot by rookie Crezdon Butler, who looks like he has the potential to start one day.

It also happened to Frank Summers. Rookie Jonathan Dwyer claimed the final spot at running back with a late charge in the preseason.

It is too early to tell whether Colbert and Tomlin made the right decisions in regard to the 53-man roster.

They, in fact, corrected a previous mistake when they kept special teams ace Anthony Madison after releasing him last year for the forgettable Keiwan Ratliff.

But in assembling the 2010 Steelers, Colbert and Tomlin clearly did not let emotions get in the way of making what amounted to business decisions — which is why Friday had to be such an emotionally wrenching day for both of them.

Steelers defensive lineman (of this past decade at least) only tend to stand out if they are doing something wrong, what are you expecting? Alot of sacks? If Hood ends up playing around the level of Smith and Keisel, I'll be happy. You don't see those guys making the pro bowl often, but they get the job done as well as anyone. And to this point, I've heard nothing but good things from the coaches and players, I'll defer to them.

JDSteeler

09-06-2010, 06:06 PM

"Fortunately for Steelers fans, they don't know how much patience Colbert and Tomlin have for first-round picks that underachieve."

Reports from people who actually...you know...work with him on a daily basis say that he is an extremely hard worker and is remarkably athletic. But I'll take the word of a guy who has seen him in only a handful of plays on his T.V. You convinced me...he's lazy and slow. I trust your word over guys like John Mitchell and Aaron Smith. Evander "Busty" Hood.

Pahn711

09-06-2010, 09:56 PM

He's lazy, and slow.

Reports from people who actually...you know...work with him on a daily basis say that he is an extremely hard worker and is remarkably athletic. But I'll take the word of a guy who has seen him in only a handful of plays on his T.V. You convinced me...he's lazy and slow. I trust your word over guys like John Mitchell and Aaron Smith. Evander "Busty" Hood.

Exactly right. I just think people see he isn't putting up sack numbers and automatically assume he sucks, and the bandwagon rolls on.

JDSteeler

09-06-2010, 10:44 PM

He's lazy, and slow.

Reports from people who actually...you know...work with him on a daily basis say that he is an extremely hard worker and is remarkably athletic. But I'll take the word of a guy who has seen him in only a handful of plays on his T.V. You convinced me...he's lazy and slow. I trust your word over guys like John Mitchell and Aaron Smith. Evander "Busty" Hood.

Reports, reports....blah blah blah.

The reports you be talking about were from the first 2 days of TC, and I
haven't heard nothing since.

Take thoughs reports and cram them...they don't mean squat!!!

I replayed the Broncos and Panthers games to see if Hood is doing anything...

I can 100% assure you that if he plays the regular season with as much
passion, and grit that he has shown in the preseason, you might as well have
ME rotate in the mix. I'm 6'2" and 210lbs, and I know I'd get flattened, but
atleast I'd be giving 110-friggin-% more than Ziggy!!!!

Even the announcers during a play...a single play, said that they hadn't called
Hood's name all friggin preseason.

Don't take my word for it, I'm just telling everyone on here that Ziggy is
dogging it.

He's a first-round draft pick, I expect him to deliver on the field of play during
the game. He should be dominating 2nd and 3rd stringers like rag dolls, not
getting pancaked on every single play!!!

If your standards are living up to all thoughs so-called reports that you heard,
than that's your business.

He needs to take the skirt off, and he better friggin show up on gameday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JD

Slapstick

09-07-2010, 10:30 AM

Reports, reports....blah blah blah.

JD

You could have (and probably should have) stopped right there...

:lol: :lol: :lol:

aggiebones

09-07-2010, 01:49 PM

Weren't they moving him around ALOT this preseason, including NG. Not like anyone has taken the top DE spot from him?
Ahhh, I think you'll be seeing ALOT from Mr. Hood over the next few years.

JDSteeler

09-07-2010, 02:40 PM

Reports, reports....blah blah blah.

JD

You could have (and probably should have) stopped right there...

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Ok, so you're a hood-Homer, that's fine!!

If I'm proven wrong, I'll own it!!!!!

Until then, watch for yourself.

JD

frankthetank1

09-07-2010, 02:55 PM

Reports, reports....blah blah blah.

JD

You could have (and probably should have) stopped right there...

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Ok, so you're a hood-Homer, that's fine!!

If I'm proven wrong, I'll own it!!!!!

Until then, watch for yourself.

JD

you dont think he played well last season when he got playing time? i admit i havent noticed him much in the preseason, but its only the preseason. jason worlids did even less than hood in the preseason. should we write him off completely just yet?

stlrz d

09-07-2010, 09:51 PM

Weren't they moving him around ALOT this preseason, including NG. Not like anyone has taken the top DE spot from him?
Ahhh, I think you'll be seeing ALOT from Mr. Hood over the next few years.

Yes.

Chadman

09-07-2010, 10:10 PM

Don't take my wood for it, I'm just telling everyone on here that Ziggy is
dogging it.

Keep your wood to yourself- no matter how much you enjoy Ziggy and his doggie action... :tt2

JDSteeler

09-08-2010, 06:46 AM

Weren't they moving him around ALOT this preseason, including NG. Not like anyone has taken the top DE spot from him?
Ahhh, I think you'll be seeing ALOT from Mr. Hood over the next few years.

Yes.

In the Broncos and Panthers games, he was strictly playing LDE. He NEVER
lined up as the NG...let's get that straight!

On a number of occasions, he was pushed-over to the RDE, and then back
on his AZZ!!!!

HEAR-THE.....!!!!!

If he gets a finger-tip on the RB through his gap assignment, I will......
Bow-Down, and admit my complete, and utter stupidity on all 3-MB's that
I am a member!!!!!!! He won't even get a finger tip, as he will be on his back-
side looking up at the sky....

But if he does, I will then praise HOOD as a Spartan-Warrior..aka. Lionitis in 300!!!!

JD

Slapstick

09-08-2010, 08:56 AM

Ok, so you're a hood-Homer, that's fine!!

If I'm proven wrong, I'll own it!!!!!

Until then, watch for yourself.

JD

Not a Hood-Homer...I just don't believe in shooting my mouth off until I see evidence in games that actually count...

And, I do plan on watching for myself...

:tt1

JDSteeler

09-08-2010, 02:46 PM

Ok, so you're a hood-Homer, that's fine!!

If I'm proven wrong, I'll own it!!!!!

Until then, watch for yourself.

JD

Not a Hood-Homer...I just don't believe in shooting my mouth off until I see evidence in games that actually count...

And, I do plan on watching for myself...

:tt1

That's Good!!!!

How do you like your pancakes????

I prefer mine to be...Stood up, pushed back, and flattened like a steam-roller!!!

JD

Slapstick

09-08-2010, 04:12 PM

That's Good!!!!

How do you like your pancakes????

I prefer mine to be...Stood up, pushed back, and flattened like a steam-roller!!!